Listen:
“She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy” (Proverbs 3:18)
Reflect:
Wisdom is a tree of life, writes Solomon. It is a living, life-giving tree for us if we take hold of it, if we seize it. And, it is a blessing, a source of happiness, if we hold on to it tightly, if we maintain it, sustain it, and never let it go of it.
Wisdom gives us understanding, discernment, and moral insight. It keeps us in a right relationship with God and living in obedience to his commands.
Stephen J. Lennnox says, “a life-giving, living tree, [wisdom] is the very source of blessings to those who look nowhere else, for this is the tree of God’s own planting” (Proverbs).
Shortly after being anointed King over Israel, Solomon asked God for this wisdom (1 Kings 3:9), and God gave it to him in abundance—God planted wisdom in him. Solomon eagerly took hold of the “tree of life,” and for many years he held fast to it. He ruled the nation of Israel wisely and in the fear of the Lord. Israel became prosperous, wealthy, and powerful and experienced peace. He built and dedicated the first temple to the Lord in Jerusalem.
But then slowly, Solomon loosened his grasp on the lifegiving tree. Blinded by his own ambition and pride he abandoned his early wisdom and the wisdom giver. He fell into a life of disobedience; “he did was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done.”
We are all susceptible to straying from God’s path when we stop holding tightly to the tree of life; when we forsake the wisdom that God gives us freely through the Holy Spirit.
Ken Boa writes, “No one is immune to the allures of the world. If even one of the wisest men to walk the earth can fall away from the LORD, then so can we. We must be vigilant to guard our hearts and minds. We must be steadfast to abide in Jesus, lest we fall away.”
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you,” Jesus said, “for a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4).
Prayer of Response:
Heavenly father, plant the tree of life in me and help me cling tightly to it so that I may walk in righteousness all the days of my life. Help me be vigilant to guard my heart and mind that I might not succumb to the allures of the world.
Questions to Ponder:
- What “allures” of the world might you be susceptible to that you need to relinquish?
- What can you do to guard your heart and mind with vigilance against the enemy who seeks to break your hold on the tree of life?
Breath Prayer:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale (Breathe in): Lord, help me take hold of the tree of life.
Exhale (Breathe out): And give me the strength to never let go of it.
(Repeat)
—Submitted by Dona Diehl
Dona has been with Lifesprings almost since its beginning in 2006 and serves on the Lifesprings Executive team. She is married and has two adult children and four grandchildren. She and her husband, Howard, serve in a large local church and minister in a small Cambodian congregation that meets within the church.
Feature photo by Johann Siemens on Unsplash